There is a snap mate: 27.Rxc7+ Kxc7 (27...Kd8 Qxb7 is worse) 28.Rd7+ Kb6 (or 28...Kd8 Qxb7 forces mate rapidly) 29.Rxb7+ and now 29...Kc4 30.b4#,
or 29...Ka6 30 Qc6+ etc or 29...Ka5 Qd5+ etc. 29.Qxb7+ also mates. Time to
check:
====
Everyone has got there already. <viking78>: Both lines are just as good.
Rewind to just before move 26:

White continues 26.Rae1 and Black continued 26.Rhg8? setting up the puzzle position. Instead
26...Rd8! defends. Hee's an interactive link to Crafty Endgame Simulator:
http://www.chessvideos.tv/endgame-t....
White has the advantage, but converting it without the help of an engine is another matter. I had to settle for repetition in the line 26...Rd8 27.Qf2 Kb8 28.R1e6 Qg4 29.b3 (not 29.Rf6 Qa4+!) h5 30.Rf6 Rhf8 31.Ref7 Rfe8 32.Kd2 Qh3 33.Rxf5 Qh1 34.Qf1 Qh2+ 35.Qf2 Qh1 etc. Enjoy doing better!

dufferps: As I viewed this sequence, I thought, "How clever of Aagaard to move 29.Rxb7+ for a sure win instead of the oh-so-inviting 29.Qxb7+." But as I looked at the possible sequences after 29.Qxb7+, I saw that it was at least as efficient in forcing a sure win - in fact more so.
29.Qxb7+ Kc5, 30.b4# or
29.Qxb7+ Ka5, 30.b4+ Ka4 31.Qa6#

sfm: cydmd: I don't think 29.Qxb7+ is laborious>
As it's mate in three either way, the "laborious" would have to refer to weight and distance of moved pieces. :-)
<I think that's even simpler than the actual line.>
yeah, but only because white sadistically drags out the pain with one move, 30.b4+, iso. 30.Qd5+.

chrisowen: <Once> A yes it his purloined capture c7, in really it on e7 in lost it chin up re6 ace in craving made forever brewing qxg3 qxg3 rxg3 rh7 and i low in draw g8 ol i wo grace for JA king crevice danger blacked out it favour in white again re7 ear nest it hope for moment yet in my eyes popped cage fidgeting rxc7! Ate pawn general in by it grievous rook slide also nearly it is mate in five too! Levelin good castle up it down manage the beast in hallowed edifice again e7 give spar it king up python our queen in b7 or eli eave instead kb6 lakes even 29 rxb7+ ka5 live on 30 b4+ a brazil nut a4 31 qc6+ over a time for see ele dwardle 32 rxa7 be ration # one mole cue 10 26 rhg8 dont it burn the bridges?

BlackSheep: Quite easy today , Rxc7 is the only candidate move with any punch , black was in pretty bad shape anyway but Rhg8 is just a reluctance to admit to oneself that there's impending danger and playing like you have a free hand in it.

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